Plate registering and trimming machine



Jan. 16, 1940. TORNBERG PLATE REGISTERING AND TRIMMING MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 1l, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 u n u mm. bh. 1 MNv .NDNW

Jan. 16, 1940. TQRNBERG 2,187,106

PLATE REGISTERING AND TRIMMING MACHINE Original Filed Deo. 11, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 16, 1940 UNITED STATES 2,187,106 PLATE REGISTEBING AND TRIMIUING MACHINE Isidor Tornberg, Plaineld, N. J., assigner to Wood Newspaper Machinery Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Virginia Application December 11, 1935, Serial No. 53,885 Renewed June '1, 1939 2l Claims.

This invention can be used to register flat printing plates or in fact other castings but it is particularly adapted for preparing and registering semi-cylindrical printing plates to be used on rotary presses, especially where color printing isV involved so that it is desirable to preregister the plates before placing them on a series of printing cylinders.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide means. whereby much time and effort is saved in the preparation of the plates because each plate may be registered, or any out of register plate discovered, before the plate is actually placed on the printing cylinder; to provide accurately acting 4means for registering the plate, preferably in the form of stationary locating devices, such as mirrors allowing the plate to be adjusted to iit preset register marks in order that the plate may be finished in exact relationship with other plates registered in the same way; to provide such stationary locating devices of such construction that nothing has to be loosened or unfastened and the plate does not have to come into contact with them; to provide means for registering the plates by means of light; to provide an arrangement whereby, after a plate is registered in the finishing machine it can be machined on three sides, including the two beveled curved ends, and all three sides will be accurately machined simultaneously, although the three machining operations, or two of them, can be performed separately without departing from the scope of the other features of this invention.

It will be seen that when a series of plates is registered on this device and then placed on a series of printing cylinders which are themselves uniform in construction, register can be obtained in an easy manner from a plate on one printing couple to that on the next succeeding couple. Furthermore, if a plate is imperfect, due to some fault in the process of stereotyping or electrotyping, this fact will be discovered and the plate can be remade before being sent to the press room. By the use of this machine c olor printing can be prepared for in an efficient. and accurate manner without the need of shifting plates back and forth on a printing cylinder, taking them out, taking off one side, or putting cardboard blocks in the clips to shift the plates in one direction or the other.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal central sectional view inside the hollow sleeve Il by bearings of a machine for registering and trimming curved printing plates in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line Fig. l showing certain details;

Fig. 4 is an end view ofthe gearing for driving the longitudinal trimming tool, and Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Aframe I carries capped bearings 2 and 3 in which is mountedv a hollow rotatable sleeve I. On the one end of the hollow sleeve 4 is a worm wheel 5 secured thereto and on the other end g barrel cam 6. Attached to the right hand end of the frame I is a motor 1. The motor armature is connected with and may be used to rotate a longitudinal shaft 8. The shaft 8 is mounted 9, I0 and II.

Bevel gears I2 and I3 are secured 9 and mesh with bevel gears I4 and I5 respectively. The latter gears are carried by short radial shafts I6 and I1 mounted by ball bearings in radial arms I8 and I9 respectively, said arms being keyed to the hollow sleeve 4 by keys 29 and 2|. The outer ends of the shafts I6 and I1 carry rotary cutters 22 and 23 respectively. These cutters are secured to their respective shafts by suitable nuts and washers. Guards 24 and 25, attached respectively to the arms I8 and I9, serve to partially enclose the rotary cutters 22 and 23 which cutters are used toaccurately machine the bevels on a curved printing plate P or any other'casting.

It is apparent that any rotation of the hollow sleeve l will carry the arms I8 and I9 around with it. This motion can, therefore, be used to bring the cutters 22 and 23 into contact with the plate P and thereby machine bevel surfaces on the semi-circular ends of thev plate.

'I'he left hand end of the shaft 9, as viewed in Fig. l carries a gear 26 meshing with an intermediate 21 which in turn drives a gear 28 attached to a longitudinal shaft 29. This shaft 29 extends back across the machine and has mounted on its right hand end a Worm 30 meshing with a worm wheel 3l secured to a cross shaft 32. This cross shaft 32 mounts a worm 33 which meshes with the worm wheel 5. Thus power is derived from the motor 1 through the shaft 8, gears 26, 21 and 28, worm 39, worm wheel 3|, shaft 32, worm 33, and worm wheel 5 to rotate the hollow sleeve fl. l

The shaft 29 also performs another function to the shaft, 0

in driving a cutter 34 which trims the straight 55 edge of the plate. A reciprocating bar 35, carried in suitable guides, not shown, rotatably mounts a shaft 36 on which at one end, is secured the cutter 34 and on the other a bevel gear 31 which meshes with a bevel gear 38 splined to the shaft 29. The bar is attached to a bell crank 40 by a suitable link. One arm 4I of the bell crank 40 carries a cam roller 42 operating in a slot 43 of the barrel cam 6. It is apparent that the slot 43 can be so formed that, when the hollow sleeve 4 rotates to carry the cutters 22 and 23 a full circumference around the center of the shaft 8 to machine the two curved ends of the plate, the cutter 34 can be moved back and forth the full length of the straight edge of the plate P thereby accurately machining this one edge of the plate.

A saddle 44 is rotatably mounted on the sleeve 4 and has secured to it two clamping arms 45 and 46. 'I'hese arms, on their upper ends, provide a support for two clamps 41 and 48 pivoted on a pin 49. Rods and 5I are pivotally secured to the clamps 41 and 48 respectively and carry each a collar, spring and lock nut for cooperating with poppets carried by two segment arms 52 and 53. 'I'hese segment arms mesh with each other and are mounted on shafts 54 and 55 carried by the arms 45 and 46. Secured to the shaft 55 is a handle 56 which can be used to operate the clamps 41 and 48 to hold the plate P securely against the saddle 44 while it is being operated upon.

A shaft 51 is secured to the clamping arms 45 and 46 and serves as a means for regulating the circumferential and longitudinal position of the saddle 44 and therefore the plate P which is carried thereon. Fig. 3 shows details of the adjustments as secured through hand wheels 58 and 59. A bevel gear 66 threadedly engages the shaft 51 and, by a hub and collar construction, is mounted in a bracket 61 forming a part of the frame I. The bevel gear 66 meshes with a bevel gear 68 which is carried in the bracket 61 and secured to a shaft 69, the other end of which mounts the hand wheel 59. Thus any rotation of the bevel gears 68 and 66 through the hand wheel 59 will cause the saddle 44 to be moved longitudinally on the sleeve 4. An arm 10 is loosely mounted on the shaft 51 and threadedly connected to a shaft 1| which in turn is rotatably mounted in the frame I and held against longitudinal motion by a co1- lar 12 and hand Wheel 58. It will be apparent that rotation of the hand wheel 58 canbe used to regulate the angular position of the saddle 44 and therefore that of the plate P which is carried thereon. With the hand wheels 58 and 59 the plate P can be shifted both circumferentially and longitudinally to accurately register it with preset register marks.

A pivoted stop is shown which can be used to stop the plate P in approximately the proper position when it is pushed in from the left as viewed in Fig. l. Rollers 6I are used for supporting the plate as it is pushed into registering position. A series of rollers 62 is provided which can be lifted and lowered by any suitable mechanism, not shown, to permit the plateP to be placed on the saddle 44. It is apparent that these lifting rollers can be of any desired configuration so that they can be moved out of the path of the cutter 34 on the one side of the machine. No means is shown for accomplishing this since .any one skilled in the mechanical art can devise a device for accomplishing such a purpose.

P1 represents a plate which is ready to be moved into position to be registered. P2 represents a plate on the delivery end of the machine. said plate having already been registered. A chip pan 63 is provided tocollect trimmings from the several trimming tools.

In order to place the plate P properly for trimming, an observation plate 64 is provided with four openings, these openings communicating by a series of mirrors 13 to any desirable registering mark placed on the plate. It is preferable that four such register marks be placed on the four respective corners of the plate and these be used for properly locating it. Suitable cross hairs are located on the frame I by any suitable means to facilitate in placing the plate P in proper position for registration. A limit switch 65 for the motor can be used to permit the sleeve 4 to make one revolution and then stop. The plate can then be unclamped, raised and moved out of the machine and a fresh plate brought into registering position.

It is evident that, if consecutive plates are accurately located in the same relative position with regard to the cutters 22, 23 and 34 and the plates are then trimmed with these cutters and placed on printing cylinders, whose clips, clamps and center rings are accurate, color printing can be done in an efficient and accurate manner without the need of shifting plates back and forth on the printing cylinder, taking them out, trimming off one side or putting cardboard blocks in the clips to shift them in one direction or the other.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is:

1. 'I'he combination with a plate trimming machine, of a series of mirrors thereon adapted to register the plates by beams of light reiiected from the mirrors and means for trimming the edge of aplate While in registered position.

2. In a plate trimming machine, the combination of a saddle for receiving a. curved stereotype plate and means for clamping the plate on the saddle, of an observation plate having a sight perforation and a series of mirrors located in position to direct a ray of light to the sight perforation from a registering mark on the plate, whereby the plate can be registered without the intervention of mechanical means on or near the plate.

3. In a plate trimming machine, the combination of a saddle for supporting the stereotype plate and means for trimming the edges of the plate, with an observation plate having two perforations, and two series of mirrors arranged to direct rays of light from said perforations to the opposite sides of the plate while on the saddle to permit of the registration of the plate by said rays of light.

4. In a stereotype plate trimming machine, the combination of a saddle for receiving the plate, cutters for trimming the edges of the plate, means for operating said cutters, a pair of sets of clamps pivoted near the circumference of said plate, levers for pressing the clamps into position to hold the plate, segmental gears pivoted to move with said clamps, meshing with each other, and a handle connected with one of said segmental gears for operating both clamps.

5. In a stereotype plate trimming machine, the Y holding a plate on the saddle, means for registering said plate, a pair of rotary cutters for trimming the curved edges of a plate, operating shafts for carrying said cutters located on and rotatable with said sleeve, and means for rotating the cutters on their own axes independently of the angular position of the sleeve.

6. In a printing plate trimming machine, the combination of a hollow rotatable sleeve, a saddle concentrically mounted on the sleeve, but not rotatable, for supporting a printing plate, means vfor registering the printing plates on the saddle,

a shaft extending through the sleeve, means for rotating said shaft, radial shafts supported by and projecting from the sleeve, means for rotating said radial shafts from the central shaft, and. edge trimming cutters mounted onsaid radial shafts.

'7. In a machine for trimming curved stereotype plates, the combination of a hollow sleeve, means for rotating the sleeve, a saddle arranged in adjustable position concentric with the sleeve for holding a stereotype plate, a shaft extending .through the sleeve, means for rotating said shaft, a longitudinal shaft outside the sleeve, means for driving the second shaft from the first shaft, and a longitudinal edge trimming cutter connected to be driven by the second shaft and movable along the saddle to trim the straight edge of a plate.

8. In a stereotype plate rimming machine, the combination of a frame, a motor mounted thereon, bearings on the frame, a hollow sleeve mounted to turn in said bearings, a shaft connected with the armature ofthe motor tol be rotated thereby, and extending through the hollow sleev a longitudinal shaft outside the sleeve and connected with the rst named shaft to be driven thereby, a worm on the second shaft, a cross shaft driven by said worm, means for rotating the hollow sleeve from said cross shaft, a longitudinal edge cutter, and means for rotating said edge cutter from said longitudinal shaft.

9. In a stereotype plate trimming machine, the combination of a frame, a motor mounted thereon, a hollow sleeve, a shaft located in the sleeve and connected with the armature of the motor to be rotated thereby, a longitudinal shaft outside vthe sleeve and connected witih the first named shaft to be driven thereby, a longitudinal edge cutter, and means for rotating said edge cutter from said longitudinal shaft.

10. In a plate trimming machine, the combination with a saddle for supporting the plate to be trimmed, clamps for holding the plates on the saddle, means for adjusting said clamps, and means for registering the plates by means of marks on the plates, said registering means comprising mirrors for directing a beam of light from the registering marks on the plates.

1l. In a registering device for a stereotype plate trimming machine, the combination of clamps for clamping a plate in the machine, a threaded shaft rotatably supported by said clamps and adapted to move the clamps, a nut on the threaded part of theV shaft, and a shaft transverse to the rst named shaft having a hand wheel for turning the nut to move the first named shaft longitudinally.

12. In a registering device for a stereotype plate trimming machine, the combination of clamps for clamping a plate in the machine, a threaded shaft rotatably supported by said clamps and adapted to move the clamps, a nut on the threaded part of the shaft. a shaft transverse to the rst named shaft having a hand wheel for turning the' nut to move the first named shaft longitudinally, an arm mounted on the first named shaft having a threaded opening, a screw enteringsaid opening and arranged parallel to the second shaft, and a hand wheel on said screw whereby Vthe iirst named shaft can be adjusted laterally.

13. In a registering device for a stereotype plate trimming machine, the combination of clamps for clamping a plate in-the machine, a threaded shaft rotatably supported by said clamps and adapted to move the clamps. means for moving the shaft longitudinally, an arm mounted on the shaft having a threaded opening,- a screw entering said opening, and a hand wheel on said screw whereby the first named shaft can be adjusted laterally.

14. In a stereotype plate trimming machine, the combination of a rotatable hollow sleeve, a saddle non-rotatably mounted thereon, means for holding a plate on the saddle, means for registering said plate, a pair of rotary cutters carried by said sleeve on axes radial -thereto for trimming the curved edges of a plate, and means for rotating the cutters on their own axes independently of the angular position of the sleeve.

15. In a printing plate trimming machine, the combination of a hollow rotatable sleeve, a saddle concentrically mounted on the sleeve, but not rotatable, for supporting a printing plate, means for registering the printing plates on the saddle, and means for trimming the end edges of the plate.

16. In a machine for trimming curved stereotype plates, the combination of a hollow sleeve, means for rotating the sleeve, a saddle arranged in adjustable position concentric with the sleeve for holding a stereotype plate. a shaft extending through the sleeve, a longitudinal edge trimming cutter movable along the saddle to trim the straight edge of a plate, and means operated by said shaft for rotating the cutter.

17. In a stereotype plate trimming machine, the combination of a rotatable hollow sleeve, a saddle non-rotatably mounted thereon, means for holding a plate on the saddle, means for registering said plate, a pair of rotary cutters carried by said sleeve on axes radial thereto for trimming the curved edges of a plate, a rotary cutter for trimming theI straight edge of the cutters, said curved edge trimming cutters and straight edge trimming cutter being geared together whereby to simultaneously trim the curved and longitudinal edges of the plate.

18. In a stereotype plate trimming machine, the combination of a rotatable hollow sleeve, a saddle non-rotatably mounted thereon, means for holding a plate on the saddle, means for registering said plate, a pair of rotary cutters for trimming the curved edges of a plate, a longitudinal edge trimming cutter movable along the saddle yto trim the straight edge of a plate, and means for rotating the cutters to simultaneously trim the curved and longitudinal edges of the plate.

19. In a stereotype plate trimming machine, the combination of a rotatable hollow sleeve, a saddle non-rotatably mounted thereon, means for holding a plate on the saddle, means for registering said plate, a pair of rotary cutters carried by said sleeve on axes radial thereto for trimming the curved edges of a plate, a longitudinal edge trimming cutter movable along the saddle to trim the straight edge of the plate, and means for rotating the cutters to simultaneously trim the curved and longitudinal edge of the plate.

20. In a machine for trimming curved stereotype plates, the combination of a hollow sleeve,

means tor rotating the sleeve, a saddle arranged in adjustable position concentric with the sleeve for holding a stereotype plate, a shaft extending through the sleeve, a longitudinal edge trimming cutter movable along the saddle to trim the straight edge of a plate, a pair ci rotary cutters :lo carried by said sleeve on axes radial thereto for trimming the curved edges of a plate, and means operated by said shaft for rotating the cutters cutters to simultaneously trim the curved and l0 straight edges 'of the plate.

ISIDOR TORNBERG.

CERTIFICATE oF CORRECTION. patent No. 2,187,106. January 16,' 19m.

' IszDoR ToRNBERc.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction es follows: Page 5, first l column, -line 51, claim 8, for "rimming" read trimming; line M9) claim 9, for "witih" read with; page LL, first column, 1ine1c1ai.m '19, for edge read edges; and that the said Letters Patent should be reed this correction therein that the same may conform to the' record of thel cese 1n the Patent Office A signed and sealed this 20th day or February, A. D.. 19140,

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

